I am having problems connecting my macbook air to an external display

I recently purchased a 2012 MacBook Air, and am currently running Mountain Lion.
When I try to connect an external VGA overhead projector, for use in a conference room, using the Thunderbolt to VGA adapter, my screen resolution changes, but nothing is projected from the overhead projector. I used to do this with my 2011 MacBook AIr and had no problems doing this.
What am I doing wrong? Is it Mountain Lion or a bug in the MacBook Air. I tried connecting to an overhead projector at my office and had no problems, but in my clients conference room I have no luck.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, I'm not finding success with this workaround. I'm running Mountain Lion on a MacBook Air, with the micro-DVI to VGA adapter, and the projector is not detecting the computer (regardless of repeatedly turning the two machines on and off, in various orders). I have been able to do this, prior to upgrading to Mountain Lion, with the same hardware configuration, so it seems that the problem is the software, not the hardware.
I do not see a Display icon in the menu bar, which is how I used to be able to switch. The Display setting in System Preferences does not offer a solution (though I have selected the "Show mirroring options in menu bar when available" option. I can't find a configuration of keys that will allow me to switch displays.
By the way, when I have both devices on, connect the VGA cable to the adapter, and then connect the adapter to the micro-DVI port, it shuts off my laptop. I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to happen.
If anyone has figured out a reliable way to use a MacBook Air, running Mountain Lion, using a micro-DVI to VGA adapter, for an overhead project, please advise.

Similar Messages

Having problems with my macBook Air wifi staying connected

I'm having problems with my MacBook Air staying connected to wifi....Help - Very frustrating!!!

When you go to perform a software update or make a system change it'll prompt you for an administrator's password. If you're the only user on the machine, you're also the administrator.
If you've forgotten this password it can be reset using Disc 1 of the System Restore DVDs that came with your computer. Because the MBA lacks an optical drive there are two ways to perform the password reset:
1. Purchase/use the external, USB-based MacBook Air SuperDrive
2. Use CD/DVD sharing between another, compatible computer on your network
Steps on how to do this are found between 46-49 in the owner's guide that came with your machine or it can be downloaded via the web at:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/MacBook_Air_UsersGuide.pdf

Connect 2013 Macbook Air to 30" Cinema Display

Hi, so I bought a DVI to thunderbolt connector and connected my macbook air to my 30" display, but it wont give the 30" monitor the full 2560x1600. Is it even possible to do this or am I stuck at driving it at a terrible resolution?

You need a dual-link DVI adapter such as this one.
(114136)

Problems connecting my MacBook Pro to an external monitor

For the past 2 years, I have regularly connected my MacBook Pro to an external monitor (Dell SR2320L) using a VGA cable. When I do so, the picture automatically comes up in the maximum resolution of the external monitor (1920 x 1080). However, just in the past few weeks, the picture on my external monitor automatically comes up in 1600 x 1200 instead. When I click on the display menu in the upper right corner of my screen, there isn't even an option for 1920 x 1080 anymore. I've tried restarting my computer and even unplugging and replugging in the cable, but nothing seems to fix the problem. However, on at least some occasions, the problem seems to fix itself after about a day or so of use, and the picture reverts back to 1920 x 1080. I should note a couple of things: when I connect another MacBook to my monitor, the display automatically comes up in 1920 x 1080. And when I connect my Macbook to a different display, I have the same problem as I have with my display. So I think the issue is definitely with my computer, not my monitor. Does anyone have a suggestion about how to solve this problem? Or, when the problem arises, is there anything I can do to reset the display to 1920 x 1080 other than waiting for the problem to fix itself? Any suggestions woudl be greatly appreciated!

Hi bonfig,
If you are having issues with the external display settings on your MacBook Pro, it may be worth going throught the following article, in particular the portion about resetting the SMC and PRAM:
Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1573
Cheers,
- Brenden

Having problem with my Macbook Air audio

Hi everyone. I'm just joined this forum because I'm having an issue.
I own a macbook air 13' (2011) and yesterday, I've bought a pair of Beats, as well as upgrade my mac to Mountain Lion from Lion (I'm running OSX 10.8.1)
I've never used any headphone or earbud on my mac before. After I installed Mountain Lion, I plugged my headphone in and notice that, everytime the computer got a sound notification, there're a lot of background noise (or you guys called it static noise or something?) in my headphone even when there's no sound playing. I try to listen some song and the noise's clearly there, especially when I play a song and mute suddenly.
But after a while in silent, the noise gone. I'm confusing. Everytime I make any sound, the noise comes back. Press the mute button, and after a while it's gone.
I've tested my headphone on my ipod and iphone, and it works fine. I think my mac cause that problem. But when I come to Apple Store and ask the Genius bar, they just put on my headphone and nothing's going on. Back home, and it happened. Probably because the store's too noisy, so they can't notice anything?
Now I don't know if Mountain Lion caused it, or it's my macbook itself. So now I'm listening on my iPod, and everything's just fine.
Any suggestion?

Harry_howard.UK wrote:
Hi. I just wondered if you are still having this problem?
I have a Late 2012 MBA13 and, like you, rarely use headphones. I started today and it is doing the irritating buzzing in my ears (on all four of my headphones). I have been looking at sites and didnt come up with anything. I saw the post re my iPhone and moved that (and my BB) well away and still no louck.
!! Then I removed my power cable and it stopped!? Interested to know if this effects yours too before I head off to the Apple Store.
If it does it could be magnetic or power source based and could well then become a hardware problem which means no fix coming!
Thanks for your time.
Welcome Harry...sounds frustrating. Other than my iPhone being too nearby, I've never had the issue with my MBA...with or w/o headphones, with or w/o the power adapter connected. Sounds like it might be worth a call to AppleCare or a Genius Bar appointment since your MBA is still under warranty. There may be an issue with the power supply itself.
You're probably aware, but MacBooks shouldn't be plugged in other than when they're being charged. More here:
http://www.apple.com/batteries/notebooks.html
Hope you get this figured out. Let us know how it goes!

Anyone else having trouble connecting new MacBook Air to display?

I have tried connecting my new 11" macbook air to a 24" acer monitor and a 40" Samsung television and the screen on the MBA turns blue like it's about to connect but then comes back as if it failed to. Then it keeps trying.
I'm using the mini diplay port to DVI adapter to a DVI cable into the monitor.
I have also tired the mini diplsy port adapter into a DVI to HDMI adapter to see if it worked using HDMI,
Nothing.
I called Apple and they suggested I bring it into the store.
I'm running 10.7
Thanks.

i Meant she had a macbook 2008 white. not 2006

Having problems with my Macbook Air. I cant remember my pass.

Hey everyone,
I have a problem. I am trying to update my itunes, and in order for it to be updated, it requires me to input a password first, which I think is some kind of a master pass to the computer.
The problem is that I don't remember that password and I cant really change it from no where.
Please help. I have a macbook air.

When you go to perform a software update or make a system change it'll prompt you for an administrator's password. If you're the only user on the machine, you're also the administrator.
If you've forgotten this password it can be reset using Disc 1 of the System Restore DVDs that came with your computer. Because the MBA lacks an optical drive there are two ways to perform the password reset:
1. Purchase/use the external, USB-based MacBook Air SuperDrive
2. Use CD/DVD sharing between another, compatible computer on your network
Steps on how to do this are found between 46-49 in the owner's guide that came with your machine or it can be downloaded via the web at:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/MacBook_Air_UsersGuide.pdf

Having problems restoring my macbook air

I recently purchased a macbook air ( second hand ), i have just tried to reinstall mac os x and it's asking me for my apple i.d to go ahead with the download, i have just set up a apple i.d and when i type in my details it ain't allowing me to download it as it's a new apple account. Any advice would be helpful.

The first thing you should do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. How you do that depends on the model. Look it up on this page to see what version was originally installed.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc, which you can get from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller — not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. I suggest you install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for some MacBook Air models. If you don't have the media, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To boot from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then reboot and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should boot into Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
Once booted from the disc or in Internet Recovery, launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive — not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive, which is what you should do.
After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. When the installation is done, the system will automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
You should then run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. If you want to upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, buy it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the previous owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed — you have to repurchase them.
If the previous owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Apple customer service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able toauthorize it under your ID. In that case, contact iTunes Support.

Macbook Air stopped detecting external displays

My MBA (Mid 2011) has stopped detecting ANY external display. Have tried different leads (MDP > HDMI and VGA) with no luch, My MBA (Mid 2011) has stopped detecting ANY external display. Have tried different leads (MDP > HDMI and VGA) with no luck. It seems to have happened since I have updated to Mountain Lion a few days ago.
Has anyone had similar problems?

You should also ask this in the MacBook Air forum. This is the forum for the white and black plastic MacBooks that were discontinued in 2010. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_air
And the Mountain Lion Forum https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/os_x_mountain_lion

Problem connecting my macbook air with my iPhone 5s

hi there
i know that this is a problem, but it has to bee a solution for it
i want to be able to transfer files and other things from my laptop to my phone
i can do it with pc and android but not with apple devices
for the money that i've paid for this 2 apple products.........not getting any back
they say that apple is the best, leading in technology.......right
help please
must be something to solve this problem
an update or something
thanks

sorry
the connection problem is bluetooth
thanks

Having problems with my Macbook Air startup disk?

I bought this laptop last spring and lately it's been giving me some problems.
First of all, my startup disk is already full. I only use this as a home computer for schoolwork, photos, music, etc. Not sure if the reason it's full is because of pictures. Does anyone happen to know how many pictures you can out on a Macbook until it's maxed out?
Also, when I try to update the software it tells me I need more storage space. So I tried to get into iPhoto to delete some pictures but it says I don't have permission to "write to photo library."
I apologize if this is too general of a question but I figured I'd ask here before calling Apple for help.
Thanks for any tips you can give me in advance!

Back up all data.
This procedure will unlock all your user files (not system files) and reset their ownership and access-control lists to the default. If you've set special values for those attributes on any of your files, they will be reverted. In that case, either stop here, or be prepared to recreate the settings if necessary. Do so only after verifying that those settings didn't cause the problem. If none of this is meaningful to you, you don't need to worry about it.
I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, they may not work as described.
Step 1
If you have more than one user account, and the one in question is not an administrator account, then temporarily promote it to administrator status in the Users & Groups preference pane. To do that, unlock the preference pane using the credentials of an administrator, check the box markedAllow user to administer this computer, then reboot. You can demote the problem account back to standard status when this step has been completed.
Triple-click anywhere in the following line on this page to select it:
{ sudo chflags -R nouchg,nouappnd ~ $TMPDIR.. ; sudo chown -R $UID:staff ~ $_ ; sudo chmod -R u+rwX ~ $_ ; chmod -R -N ~ $_ ; } 2> /dev/null
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the icon grid.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). I've tested these instructions only with the Safari web browser. If you use another browser, you may have to press the return key after pasting.
You'll be prompted for your login password. Nothing will be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning to be careful. If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before you can run the command. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.
The command may take a few minutes to run, or perhaps longer if you have literally millions of files in your home folder. Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign (“$”) to appear, then quit Terminal.
Step 2 (optional)
Take this step only if you have trouble with Step 1 or if it doesn't solve the problem.
Boot into Recovery. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, select
Utilities ▹ Terminal
from the menu bar. A Terminal window will open.
In the Terminal window, type this:
res
Press the tab key. The partial command you typed will automatically be completed to this:
resetpassword
Press return. A Reset Password window will open. You’re not going to reset a password.
Select your boot volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name) if not already selected.
Select your username from the menu labeled Select the user account if not already selected.
Under Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs, click the Reset button.
Select
 ▹ Restart
from the menu bar.

When I connect my Macbook Air to the thunderbolt display the fans run constantly

I dont understand.... but the fans seem to run at full speed the entire time I'm connected to the the thunderbolt display.
My cpu usage is blow 10% and and the cpu temp from istat is showng as 72
I understand the fans kicking in once in a while but these run for hours and hours at full speed (6496 rpm)
Anyone else having this problem?

I have the same issue. I've had the MBA for a couple months now and haven't had the fan kick up hardly at all. A few minutes after it's connnected to my new T'bolt display though it kicks in and stays on. I've updated firmware once but there may be others and it hasn't helped.
Mine is in the closed position in a Book Arc and I've only got Chrome open for browsing so far.

HDCP error on MacBook Air (NOT using external display)

I just downloaded a HD (720p) movie through iTunes, and cannot play it on my Mac becuase of a HDCP non-compliance error. I am running it directly on my MBA, not through an external display... I would have thought the MBA integrated display would be HDCP compliant! Is this an error or am I wrong in assuming my MBA could play legally purchased HD movies?

Try a System Management Control reset (SMC)
Whilst the machine is plugged into power, Hold down the left side shift control and option buttons at the same time as the power on button.
Hold these down for 4 seconds and relese all at the same time.
If this fails then you may need to clear the caches folder for your user too.

Macbook air to a thunderbolt display

I have just connected my macbook air to a thunderbolt display, the fan runs continously. Is that normal

The GPU is working harder because it has to manage two displays, and one of them with a big resolution. You should not be worried, more when fans are working correctly.
What you can do is to decrease the Thunderbolt Display resolution in System Preferences > Displays, but note that you will lose image quality

HT1338 cannot connect my MacBook Air to a projector -does not detect and 2nd monitor. I have a new Mini port to VGA cable made by apple. When I read online I see that many people have the same problem - Is this an Apple defect??????????????????

I cannot connect my MacBook Air to a projector - It will not detect a 2nd monitor or display. I am using an Apple made Mini Display port to VGA adapter. As I read online I see that many other peple are having the same problem. Is this an Apple defect!!???? If so it just burst the bubble about how great macs are. I never had a problem with that on a PC. I hope I am wrong. What can you tell me?

Hi There,
I have had the exact same issue but with a projector.
The issue lies with Mountian Lion 10.8.2.
I tried many a combination with no luck to get HDMI working.
Took my mac into the apple store and came to the conclusion it was the software, so I asked them to install 10.8 onto it (this is destructive so a backup is a must)
Bought my macbook home and voila, now displaying through my projector.
There is a small graphics update after 10.8.1 which seems to be the cause.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.

I am having problems connecting my macbook air to an external display

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for